Married by Christmas Page #3

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artisanal swords than go corporate?

They'd like to preserve

the character of the company.

Right. I'm just not sure

they're in any position

to be picky, Mr. Courtney.

Listen, we're both aware that

this is the perfect opportunity

for Emerson Foods to move into

the alcoholic beverages market.

Yes. Be that as it may, I don't

think there are many companies

out there willing to

take on a failing vineyard.

That may be true, but what they

really need is some guidance.

What they really

need is some help.

I'm... I'm sorry,

maybe we misunderstood.

We're not here to offer

consultation services.

That's understood, but I'm also not

here to offer up my clients' company

to the first bidder out of fear.

Mr. Courtney, I think

you misunderstand the nature...

- I think I understand perfectly.

- Let's just cut to the chase.

We're prepared to make

an offer today.

[Dylan clears throat]

That's a ridiculous offer.

- I disagree.

- [chuckles] I'm sure you do.

- [scoffs]

- Okay. This was a waste of time.

Mr. Courtney, I think

it's a very generous offer.

Well, here's what I'll do.

I will take your generous

offer to the Rowlings

and I'll see what

they have to say.

- Until then, nice meeting you.

- Mr. Courtney.

- Ms. Tate.

- No, please. Don't let us keep you.

You clearly have urgent plans

to get somewhere, so...

I'll be in touch later this

week with a counter offer.

Thank you.

Okay, okay, okay. [exhales]

[woman on voice mail] Hi, Carrie.

It's Michelle Sullivan.

Listen, I've gone over

the will and, unfortunately,

your only recourse is going to be

convincing your future brother-in-law

to sign the company over

to you after the wedding.

When and if Katie marries first, Emerson

Foods will pass to her husband.

I'm sorry I can't

give you better news.

Was that The

Hunger Games over here?

- Huh?

- Mr. Courtney.

No, I really... I don't have

time to think about that.

My entire life is crumbling

before my very eyes.

- That was the lawyer on the phone?

- Yes.

When and if Katie gets married,

Ethan gets the company.

- Well, what's the "if"?

- There is... nothing.

Technically, I could

still get married first.

What did... Technically, I could

still get married first.

Zelda, I have a plan!

I... I just... what... I just

have to get married first!

- Oh, here we go. No.

- Stop, listen! No, stop!

Thank about this. I can just approach

it like hiring a new associate.

I can make a suitable list of

candidates and conduct some interviews,

and... and then I hire someone, if it

doesn't work out, I terminate employment.

Are you saying you're gonna

hire someone to marry you?

- No! What is wrong...

- Oh, okay.

Why can't I find someone just to actually

marry me, and sign the company over,

and after the appropriate amount

of time, we get a divorce.

What's the appropriate amount of time

for a corporate takeover marriage?

Can you just make me a list

of the... the websites,

the dating things that kids

are using these days?

Why don't you just

talk to Katie and Ethan?

- No, it's just too much drama.

- This isn't dramatic?

Listen, I'm not mad at Katie, okay, and I

don't want things to get ugly with Ethan.

This just makes the

decision for everyone.

I get married first,

I get Emerson Foods.

Hm... okay.

Go, Zelda, go! It's amazing!

Go! It's a plan!

- Are you sure?

- Yes.

[up-tempo music playing]

[up-tempo music continuing]

[up-tempo music continuing]

This isn't working. How can

the pool of eligible men be so...

- Completely and totally lame?

- Yes.

- It's hard to get back in the game.

- This isn't a game.

Oh, right. I forgot this was a well

thought out and perfectly logical plan.

Please don't make fun of me.

I just need ideas.

Okay. Uh...

Uh, personal ad?

No. I'm picturing

skeevy stalker types.

Speed dating? Hm? I did it.

What? Is there something

faster than what I'm doing now?

Oh. Social media.

Catching up with old pals,

cute guys from the past, the one that

got away. You have one of those?

- No.

- Huh? Come on. Everyone's got the one.

Oh! Well, there was, um...

there was Paul.

Ooh! Who's Paul?

We were, uh, pretty

close in high school.

And actually, I always thought that

we would eventually end up together.

- Okay. This sounds good. Paul.

- But I haven't talked to him in years.

- Where's Paul now?

- Uh, I think he lives here.

- My mom keeps up with his mom.

- Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner!

- Call her. Call her on the phone.

- Who? What?

Call your mom! Call and see

if she still talks to his mom

and, like, "Can I

get his number?"

- Really?

- Yeah!

- Like, randomly?

- Yeah.

- What do I say?

- Say something about the party.

- Okay, hold on. Okay.

- Be casual, be like...

- [Bitsy] Hello?

- Hey, Mom. Um, random question.

Have you talked

to Connie Taylor lately?

Taylor, ooh! Yeah,

I like it. Yeah!

- You do?

- [Bitsy talks indistinctly]

Really?

- Yeah?

- Let's have it.

Can you give me her number?

[jazzy version

of "Jingle Bells" plays]

[laughs] How has it possibly been this

long since we've gotten together?

Well, your mother stopped paying me to

hang out with you after high school.

Really? What's

in it for you now?

Well, free lattes.

Thank you, by the way.

Ah. Uh-huh. It's lattes

or loneliness for me.

Well... [sighs]

I guess you're worth it.

Okay. So we have both

been ridiculously busy.

- Ah! Not an excuse.

- And we never talk anymore.

- Sadly true.

- And now in the season of giving and peppermint lattes...

Ew! No, no, no. Egg nog lattes.

Peppermint is disgusting.

In the season of egg nog lattes, you lure me

to a semi-private location for what purposes,

- I can only imagine.

- Hm? I just missed you.

I miss you too.

But I am not completely

without wiles.

Um, Katie's getting married.

Katie is getting married?

That is great.

Yes, I know. It's wonderful.

- Oh, I sense a little intensity.

- More on that later.

Good, 'cause I love it

when the plot thickens.

Okay. First things first.

My mom and I are throwing

Katie an engagement party

and I was wondering if you

would go with me, as my date.

- A real date?

- Yep!

Please say yes. I am

utterly without alternatives.

- How flattering.

- No...

Will you go with me or not?

[clears throat]

I would be honored

to escort you to the celebration

of your sister's betrothal.

[giggles]

- Too much?

- No, it was... it was amazing.

- For the cheap seats in the back.

- You're welcome.

- You're right, you're welcome.

- I said yes. I said yes.

[indistinct laughter, chatter]

There's two on the thing.

- Hi! Oh, this is nice!

- Hey, Carrie. Carrie.

- Hey.

- Hi!

Thank you for doing this for us.

Stop! You know

Mom's the party planner.

I know, but still.

Carrie, you aren't still angry

with Ethan and me, are you?

Uh... Katie, you didn't

do anything wrong.

Good! Because I was so worried.

I mean, it just puts such

a cloud over everything.

Stop it. I really want

you to enjoy, okay?

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